2017 RLWC - B - W3 - NZL 22-28 TON @ Hamilton

[thorson1987]

So NZ lose home semi final now too.

Hahahahahahahahaha

 

[GongPanther]

Good match.Although it has to be said that the scenario that NZ would be playing Oz anyway,and it would be best if they did play them in a semi,has been played out before.

 

[Iafeta]

Hopefully Fifita, JT, and Taka never pull on another kiwi or Aussie jumper.

Especially JT. He is an absolute superstar and if he declares he is only playing for Tonga it will force the NRL’s hand in backing more pac nation tests

I for one will be sweet with those blokes never stepping foot inside a Kiwis camp. Truthfully I don't care that they went with Tonga, but the gutless last second text message approach isn't acceptable.

 

[umina panther]

Hopefully Fifita, JT, and Taka never pull on another kiwi or Aussie jumper.

Especially JT. He is an absolute superstar and if he declares he is only playing for Tonga it will force the NRL’s hand in backing more pac nation tests

Just let anyone who plays Juniors in NSW or QLD play origin and for any other country they are eligible for. Its simple f**king stuff

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

RL is a drug, just as you are getting bored, it drags you back in with something like that. What a game.

 

[Storm13]

Hopefully Fifita, JT, and Taka never pull on another kiwi or Aussie jumper.

Especially JT. He is an absolute superstar and if he declares he is only playing for Tonga it will force the NRL’s hand in backing more pac nation tests

Think the days of relying on rep payments to entice some players maybe be over. Need fixtures to be put in place though.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Great game.

Makes the finals a lot more interesting imo. Tonga and England will be a fun semi to watch rather than eng vs nz for the 20th time.

Playing Australia in the semis rather than final doesn't really mean much in the grand scheme of things.

There's no scenario where NZ win the WC without beating Australia and while it's unlikely they will beat Australia - on the day anything can happen.

 

[beave]

Imagine that. A bunch of lads who lacked the balls to face their coach, call their coach, but instead text their coach as he was about to name the team are lauded as heroes. I guess scum can be rewarded.

I dunno mate, maybe Lolo forgot to text the coach.........you know, like how the coach forgot that Jason was on the bench last year in the test match in Perth......

And Fatfita probably ate his phone.....

 

[wibble]

NZ lost their way midway through the 2nd half, and Tonga threw caution to the wind and looked much better for it.

Tongan forwards were great all game, as you'd expect, but Tongan backs and halves were much better 2nd half.

NZ weren't bad, the game was close, and NZ were better for much of it, but really paid for a few poor plays and a bad 10 minutes. Tonga would beat most teams on that effort, and showing that willingness to throw it around, if the passes stick. Assuming we get a Tonga v England semi, that could be a cracker as well.

 

[elyod138]

Tackler fell off. Try everyday of the week.

Good to see the traitors being shown up by their replacements. Loved Snake Fusitua being shown up for the first try.

Cmon NZ, show no mercy.

Loved Tapines run under the sticks, Taumalolo arm grabbed about 14 times in one play. Keep showing them up. Never let them back in the black jumper.

Tonga embarrassed the pretenders. Taumalolo tore them a new arsehole.

 

[Life's Good]

RL is a drug, just as you are getting bored, it drags you back in with something like that. What a game.

How true. League is just a great f*cking game.

 

[some11]

EAD @Bobby DIGital

Hahahahahah eat shit you low prick Bobby

Hahaha eat a giant bag of dicks @Bobby DIGital

You just brought a world of pain on yourselves.

Get ready for the personal insults and LMAOs and sick rap references!!

 

[Iafeta]

He did. I don't think that's in question for me. I question the timing and method of his backflip. And others too.

 

[Raiderdave]

NZ need to get past Fiji first. Dont think they wont think they are a shot.

true
the Fijians aren't mugs
that was always going to be compulsory viewing that 1/4 final
although we thought it was going to be Tonga V Fiji
its now going to be NZ V Fiji
a drippingingly interesting contest

 

[ANTiLAG]

I for one will be sweet with those blokes never stepping foot inside a Kiwis camp. Truthfully I don't care that they went with Tonga, but the gutless last second text message approach isn't acceptable.

I hear where you're comming from Ifaeta, but did Kidwell think to contact JT earlier?

He played for Tonga in last World Cup.

As I understand he gets 30k a game to play for NZ and a nice red kit to play for Tonga.

His decision wasn't financially based.

How does a coach not talk to see what their stars are upto?


I have more questions about Kidwell than I do JT.

He's taken NZ from the top to mid tier.

 

[Iafeta]

Iirc Antilag, he had been contacted by the selectors - they were talking to him through the finals.

 

[wibble]

NZ need to get past Fiji first. Dont think they wont think they are a shot.

Fiji have been great too. But realistically, they should be happy to lose by 3 tries to NZ.

 

[kiwileaguefan]

tonga are probley the 4th best team and looks like they might even get flogged by the number 2
sad day for international rugby league

 

[ANTiLAG]

Iirc Antilag, he had been contacted by the selectors - they were talking to him through the finals.

Got reports of this? Cos I havn't seen anything like this. And has JT confirmed talking to selectors during finals?

 

[mozza91]

Amazing game. So much quality on display. NZ were brilliant in the 1st half and Tonga even better in the 2nd.

Taumalolo, Fifita and SST really proved their worth. Johnson, JWH and Tapau went missing when it mattered for NZ. I'm bias but they looked way more dangerous with Levi at rake than they did with Leulaui.